Combined merchandising package and article carrier



Feb. 2, 1954 J. K. BRUCE EIAL COMBINED MERCHANDISING PACKAGE AND ARTICLE CARRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 -Filed May 31, 1950 //w/v T0476! JoH/v/n swap ATTORNEY 4 ME 4 H Feb. 2, 1954 J. K. BRUCE ETAL 2,667,995

COMBINED MERCHANDISING PACKAGE AND ARTICLE CARRIER Filed May 31, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNEN 7048: JOHN A. BRUCE 7/10/1445 /1. DAV/5 A 77'0PNE Y 1954 J. K. BRUCE ElAL 2,667,995

COMBINED MERCHANDISING PACKAGE AND ARTICLE CARRIER Filed May 31, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I H (1' i i I 17 7/ I I I l I/VI/EN T0423: 7 I I JOHN A. 847005 ATTOANEY Patented Feb. 2, 1954 COMBINED MERCHANDISING PACKAGE AND ARTICLE CARRIER John K. Bruce, South Pasadena, and Thomas H.

Davis, Alhambra, Calif., assignors to Bruce Engineering Corporation, Pasadena, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 31, 1950, Serial No. 165,344

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to article carriers, and particularly to a container-carrying package characterized by a cooperating relationship between the package and the container, and further by a high degree of merchandising appeal.

The invention provides a combined article carrier and merchandising package which is adapted to unite a plurality of cans or like articles into a conveniently handled and carried package, in such manner that the articles therein form a part of the structure and are exposed to view. Labels, advertising matter, or the like, on the exterior of the articles are effectively displayed without concealment by the package.

A feature of the invention is that a plurality of articles such as cans can be packed with ample security for transporting the articles, and yet occupying no more space than a like number of the articles alone. This feature of the invention, permits the same number of such articles as canned beer to be cased within a shipping case or carton of the type commonly employed to contain case lots of the articles, regardless of whether the articles are cased with or without the carrying package of our invention. Not only does this avoid the necessity of providing special cases to contain the packaged articles, but it also avoids the necessity of providing special handling equipment for off-size packages and cases now frequently used in canneries, breweries, and the like.

The invention contemplates a package comprising a plurality of cylindrical containers arranged in symmetrical group and each having a peripheral bead at an end thereof. A divider extends between juxtaposed ones of the plurality of containers with an edge of the divider engaging a peripheral bead of each of the several containers whereby the containers are supported in co-planar relation by the divider and resilient means encircles the outside circumference of the container group under tension to exert a constrictive force holding the several containers in engagement with the divider.

, The invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a package including six cans of the type commonly employed commercially for the preservation of food, beverages, and the like.

Figure 2 is a horizontal, sectional view taken upon the line 2--Z of Figure 1, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken upon the line 33 of Figure 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 4 is a perspective view drawn to a reduced scale, of the form of partition member employed in the package illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section, taken upon the line 66 of Figure 5, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the divider of Figure 4 as it appears before incorporation in the package;

Figure 8 is a partial horizontal section of a modified form of package.

Figure 9 is a partial transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a package provided with a handle of a slightly different type from those illustrated in connection with the previously described modifications.

Figure 11 is a plan view showing a further modified form of package.

Figure 12 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional View taken upon the line l2-l2 of Figure 11, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 13 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken upon the line l3-l3 of Figure 11, with the direction of view as indicated.

Referring first to Figures 1 to '7, inclusive, it will be observed that the package there shown consists essentially of two parts in addition to the containers themselves, i. e., a central core member or divider indicated in its entirety at l6 and an outer band l1. The band I! is a tension member encircling the containers forming a part of the package and, by means of the tension to which it is subjected, serving to retain the containers in such association With the divider l6 that the latter provides amply secure support therefor to permit the device to serve as a carrier in spite of the fact that the package contains neither top nor bottom. The entire ends of all the articles contained within the package are thus completely exposed. This feature, combined withthe fact that the encircling band I! may conveniently be of a transparent material, adds substantially to the value of the package of our invention because it leaves the contents of the package substantially completely exposed to view so that the labels, advertising matter, or other material appearing on the surfaces of the articles themselves, are not obscured by the pack.-

age, nor is the advertising value thereof diminished.

The core i6 is of a highly inexpensive nature, being adapted for quantity production by automatic machinery'or otherwise; and'is made of any suitable inexpensive sheet-material, such asso-called chipboard. It comprises a central sheet or vane I8 and preferably a plurality of transversely extending vanes there being two such transverse vanes 19 in thosepa'ckages wliich are designed to accommodate six cans or similar articles. In this modification, the transverse vanes 19 on each side of thelongitud-inalvane18" are conveniently provided by a singlesheet2 1 of material preferably similar to that of which the longitudinal vane I8 is made. Instead ofbeing:

core is first assembled (see Figure 7), and the sides 23 of each ridge 22 meeting each other in a relative sharp angle 2 i'of substantially 90 degrees. and at its opposite ends is secured as by: glue or other suitable bonding agent to the central'vane l8. cans, each strip 2| willbe bonded to the central vane H3 at each of its ends 26and at its central 32 of which are rounded and substantially com-" plementary to the outer surface of the cans 33.

The outer portions of the sides 32 of each-two adjacent corrugations merge toward each other to a rounded crest 34; andthis crest 34 and the portions 32 of the side walls-immediately thereadjacent serve as a vane or partition between cans in one of the two rows 35 of cans'fl there being one such row 36 on each side of the central, or longitudinally-extending vane l8. 4 w Inasmuch as all portions thus fardescribed of the core it are of relatively thin'cardboard, or, as stated, the so-called chipboard, the thickness of any'portion of the core disposed between any two adjacent cans 33 is not greater-than twice the distance that the beads or rims 31'at the ends of the cans 33' extend laterally beyond the cans side walls 38; and inasmuch as the height of the core 16 is substantially equal tothe distance between the inner faces ofthe beads or ridges 31; interposition of the core it between the cans does not cause them to be separated by any distance greater than that occasioned-by engagement of their beads 31. This is one of the important'advantages of the invention in that the package is no larger than the several containers inc'orpo rated therein.

Inasmuch as it is desired to arrange the cans 33 within each of the units or packages, in the same arrangement as that employedwhen loose cans are arranged within cases,i. e., extending in straight rows considered "both; longitudinally and transversely, the two'strips- 21' on opposite sides of the central vane l8 are arranged withtheir crests 24 opposite each otherandwith" their val Each strip 2l'intermediateiits edges 22 In the case of a package that contains six 4 leys 21 opposite each other, with the result that when the cans 33 are arranged in suitable engagement with the core, the cans 33 will be arranged in two rows 36, one row being on each side of the central vane 18: Moreover; one can 33 of each 0f 'the two rows 3B 'will bedirectly opposite a can in the other row, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Means. are provided for retaining the cans against lateral movement away from the core I 6 so as to assure that a portion of the upper bead or: rim 31 0f eachcan lies above and within the vertical-plane of a' portion of one of the vanes l9, the-purpose beingto make it possible to rely upon engagementbetween the vane l9 and the rims 31 to support theweight of the cans, thereby avoiding the necessity of providing a top or bottom for the container. As hereinabove indicated, this retaining means takes the form of an encircling band H of a resilient material whichrma'ya' be transparent, opaque, or translucent, depending! upon the requirements of the individual case;:a1rd: which may be colored or otherwise decorated;

- Sheet plastic has been found ideally suited for this purpose inasmuch as certain'form thereof are possessed of a high degree ofresi-liencyixBee cause of its resiliency the ten'sion band is a'dapted for installation by automatic machinery in' Which" it may be stretched-sufficiently to pass overthe: cans which previously have beenlgroupedi uponl the core l5. After release of the band by the automatic machinery, the band will then con=- tract suflioiently to press the cansfirmlyiinto' such engagement with'the core l6 thatthey-willbe adequately supported thereby in the'manner-here inabove indicated.

In order to facilitate handling the pa'cka'geas a unitary item, we find it expedient'toprovi'de a collapsible handle 4 5 which may conveniently be provided by an inverted u -shaped piece of wire 42- havin ahook 43 on'the lower endof each leg 44. Each of these hookstt is engaged through a vertically extending 'slot lfi in the'centrallongi tudinally extending vane l8. These two slotsaresymmetrically arranged upon opposite sides of the central portion of the vane I8 'an'd-a-re disposed-within the' spaces between cans as is most clearly indicated'in Figure2.- Since" the slots 46'- are vertically elongated, the handle 41 can optionally be adjusted toits extended'posi tion; as illustratedin full lines in Figures 1 and t 3; or it can be retracted to that position indi cated in-broken lines in Figure l'wherein the crossbar ofthe handle is disposedclosely adjacent the tops of the cans 33'. The extreme end'por tions of the hool si3 preferably are-deflected outwards'slightly-as indicated inFigure's '1 and 2 so as to prevent accidental displacement of thee handle fromthe slots 46 when the handle is in its retracted position.

Referring now to Figures 8" and 9, a slightly modified form of construction is provided wherein each of the outer ends of the'transversely extending vanes 5! of the core portion 52 is provided with aflange 53, the lateral edges of which are adapted to engage the sides of the-cans alon the lines spaced outward slightly beyond the portion'of each two adjacentcans which most closely approach each other. These flanges 53 therefore serve as beads providin'g'additional-se' curity against separation of the-cans by moving laterally outwards away from the central vane 54 of the core 52 and thereby provides even further assurance that the canswill'rema'inin that pbsitionwherein-theyare assured of support by engagement of the upper edges of the vanes with the under surfaces of the beads 31 at the tops of the cans.

Figure illustrates a slightly modified form of handle construction which may conveniently be provided as an upward extension of the central vane or partition 6| of the core 62 or as one or more tabs 63 constructed of relatively heavy kraft paper and easily bonded adjacent their lower edges to the upper edge of the vane 62. One of these tabs 63 is provided with a tongue 64 adapted to be deflected through an opening 66 in the other tab 63 when the tabs 63 are in their erect or operating position. This tongue 64 will then serve to interconnect the two tabs 63 and provides a more comfortable handle by the avoidance of the sharp edge of the paper at that portion of the handle engaged by the fingers. When it is not desired to use the handle for carrying the package, it may be folded down upon the top of the cans, as indicated in broken lines in Figure 10.

Figures 11, 12, and 13 illustrate a still further modified form of construction wherein the transversely extending vanes ll of the divider 12 are provided by single thicknesses of chipboard strips seated within slots in the longitudinally extending vanes 73 and extending on both sides thereof so that each strip ll offers support to two cans 33 on each side of the central vane 13. In the case of a package intended to contain six cans 33, we prefer that two such transversely extending strips H be provided adjacent the upper edge of the longitudinal vane 13 and two more strips I4 similarly associated with the lower edge of the longitudinal vane 13. The upper strips H are adapted to engage the under edges of the upper beads of the cans 33 whereas the lower strips 14 are adapted to engage the upper surfaces of the lower beads as is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 In other particulars, this modification of our carrier is similar to that described hereinabove in connection with Figures 1 to 7, inclusive. A detail of construction which adds to the economy with which the modification of Figures 11 to 13, inclusive, can be produced results from the fact that the four strips H and 14 of which the transverse vanes are formed can be struck from a sheet of chipboard corresponding in size to the final longitudinal vane 13, leaving a recess or notch 16 in each end of the longitudinal vane 13, each of these notches 16 corresponding in size to one of the strips H or 14. This procedure will also leave an opening Tl in the center of the longitudanal vane 13, this opening 11 corresponding in size to two of the transverse strips H, 14. Inasmuch as the notches l6 and opening H are shorter than the height of the vane 13, their presence will not interfere in any manner with the vanes efiicacy in offering support to the cans 33 contained within the package.

We claim:

1. A can package comprising cans having bottom and top annular beads projecting outwardly beyond their side walls, a divider comprising a longitudinally extending vane disposed between rows of said cans and a strip secured to each side of said vane, each of said strips having vertically extending corrugations therein and being secured to said vane at the bottom of the valley portions of said corrugations, each of said valley portions being substantially complementary to a portion of the side wall of one of said cans and the crests of said corrugations presenting transverse vanes between cans of one of said rows and 'supportinglyengagingthe bottom and top beads ranged in a co-planar rectangular group, a.

divider comprising articulated longitudinal and transverse divider members arranged in relation to one another respectively, and positioned respectively between said rows and between the constituent containers of each row and between and engaging the end beads of each container, and a continuous perimetral package wall encircling the container group under tension to hold the containers in snug bead to head engagement with each other, thereby to maintain the divider members in said 90 relation, the wall being in frictional binding relation to the rounded sides of corner containers of said rectangular group.

3. A bottomless and topless container package comprising a plurality of parallel rows of cylindrical containers arranged in a rectangular group, each container having an annular outwardly projecting peripheral bead at each end thereof, a divider comprising intersecting longitudinal and transverse divider members positioned respectively between said rows and between the constituent containers of each row with upper and lower edges of the divider being confined between and engaging both peripheral beads of each container, and a continuous perimetral package wall distinct and separate from that of said divider, the wall encircling said containers under tension to hold the containers in snug bead to bead engagement with each other, the Wall being in frictional binding relation with side surfaces of corner containers of said group with the container end beads outwardly overhanging the wall.

4. A bottomless and topless container package comprising a plurality of parallel rows of cylindrical containers arranged in a co-planar rectangular group, each container having an annular outwardly projecting peripheral head at each end thereof, a divider comprising intersecting longitudinal and transverse divider members positioned respectively between said rows and between the constituent containers of each row, the divider being confined between and engaging against both peripheral beads of each container between juxtaposed containers of the group to support the containers in co-planar relation, and a separate continuous perimetral package wall of resilient material encircling the container group under tension to hold the same in snug bead to bead engagement with each other, the wall being in frictional binding relation to side surfaces of corner containers of said group with container beads outwardly overhanging the wall.

5. A package in accordance with claim 4 in which a suspending handle is provided on said divider to suspendthe package, said wall holding the peripheral beads of said containers in said vertically supported relation to the divider members whereby the containers are vertically suspended independently of the wall.

6. A bottomless and topless container package comprising a plurality of parallel rows of cylindrical containers arranged in a co-planar rectangular group, eachcontainer having an anecided nular outwardl'y projecting peripheral bead-i at each' end thereof; a divider-comprising inter-' secting longitudinal and' transverse divider members positioned respectively betweensaid' rows and between the constituent containers of each row; the upper and loweredges of f the divider:

being confined between and engagingthecupper and lower beads respectively of I eachcontainer and the termini of said J divider members being disposed inwardly r of" the outermost container surfaces, and a continuous perimetral i packagewall of resilient material distinctand separate from that-of said divider encircling the container group under tensionto hold the containers in snug bead-to 'beadengagement-with each other, thereby'to maintain the dividermembers in said transverse relation, the wall being in frictional binding relation toside surfaces of corner containers of said group'and'being out of engagement with the divider members.

'1. A b'ottomlessand topless container package comprising a. plurality of parallel .rows of'cylindrical containers arranged in a co-planar rectangular group, each container having anannular outwardly projecting peripheral bead at each end, a-divider 'comprisingintersecting longitudinal and transverse:"divider members positionediresp'ectively betweensaid rows and between the constituent containersof each row and beingconfinedib'etween and engaging both peripheral beads of each container, the termini of said divider membersxbeing disposed inwardly of theoutermost containersurfaces, at least apart of i transverse divider members. having openings therein between upper and lower edges, a continuous perimetral package wall of resilient material encircling the container group under tension to. hold the containeri. in snug bead'tobead engagement with each other,'the wallbeingin frictional binding relation to side surfaces of corner containers of saidgroup, and a-handle having acentral: memberwlying astraddle the longitudinal dividerv member and ispaced :depending legs extending downwardly adjacent spaced ones of said transverse dividermembers, each leg having a hooked portion extending intosaid opening in the respective spaced transverse divider members and adapted to engage'at' the opening defining edge of the'respective transverse divider member as the central member is raised upwardly from the top of' the package.

8. A package in accordance with claim 4 wherein thedivider membersdo not exceed in thickness the spacing between juxtaposed ones of said containers as determined by peripheral engagement of the container heads;

9. A package in accordance with claim 4 wherein the resilient.materialforming the perimetral wall does'not exceed in thickness the outward projection of the container beads.

10. A bottomless and toplesscontainer package for cylindrical containers of the type having annular outwardly extending; beads surrounding the top and bottom thereof, which comprises a plurality of rows of-containers arranged in a rectangular group and in co-planar bead abutting relation, a divider comprising intersecting longitudinal and transverse divider members positioned respectively between'the rowsand between the constituent containers of each row and residing entirely in the spaces'normally developed by bead to bead abutment of adjoining containers, the divider'having upper andz'lower'respectively' co-planar edgesengaging the container beads at each-point of beadtobead:abutmentoj: 75,

adjoiningcontainers whereby the containers are supported vertically by the divider and insaid co-planar relation, and a continuous perimetral package wall of resilient material encirclingthe container group under tension to hold the'con tainers inbead to head engagement with each other; the wa-ll being in frictional engagement with the side curvilinear surface of each of the cornerv containers of'said rectangular group.

11. A package in accordance with claim 10 wherein: the transverse divider members comprisespairs of strips, each pair residing in aligned slots =in1the upper'and lower edges of the longitudinal divider. member, the pairs of strips being retained.- in said. slots .by confinement, .on oppo site 'si'des of:theilongitudinal divider member, bee tweentop and bottom beads .respectively'of the associated containers.

12. .A portable bottomless andtopless container package comprising a plurality of. round sided beaded containers arranged in a co-planargroup, a divider comprising longitudinal and'transverse members positioned between constituent containersofsaid group, handle means-iassociated with the divider. for suspending the: package from above, the divider'having upper and lower edges confined between and engaging, opposite end beads ofleach container, and-a separate continuous perimetral package wall of resilient material encircling the container group under tension to hold, the containers in snugbead to bead engagementiwith each other and about the divider, the walLbeing in frictional bindingrelation to the rounded sides of at least part of the containers.

13. A portable bottomless and topless container packagecomprising a plurality of round sided beaded containersv arranged in a co-planar group, a divider comprising longitudinal and transverse members positioned between constituent containers of the group, handle means associated with the divider for suspendingthe pack-- agefrom above, the divider engaging against and being confined between opposite end beads of each constituent container, and a. continuous perimetralpackage wall of resilientmaterialencircling the container groupunder tension and lying entirely between opposite end beads of. the containers to hold the containers-in snugbead to head engagement with each other and. about the divider, the dividerterminating inwardly of and being spaced from the package wall.

' JOHN K. BRUCE.

THOMAS H; DAVIS.

References Citedin the file 0fv this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re.-l9,525 Jufia Apr. 9', 1935' D.162,515 B-urge Mar. 20; 1951 187,094 Brear Feb. 6, 1877 1,860,586 lvicllhenney May 31, 1932 1,938,214 Boeye Dec. 5, 1933 1,941,041 McKee Dec. 26', 1933 1,955,851 Heller Apr. 24, 193.4 1,990,675 81112 et al Feb. 12,- 1935' 1,995,966 Stoddard Mar. 26, 1935 2,253,273 Haycock Aug; 19, 1941 2,377,520 Robinson et'al June 5, 1945 2,425,140 Allen Aug. 5:, 1947- 2532446 Hall Dec. 5, 195.0

' FOREIGN PATENTS Number; Country Date Great-Britain -2- Feb.- 26, ,1913 

